We often need to challenge our garden plantings and layout as they get tired or overgrown. It is a bit like renovating homes - stick with the good bones and refresh the rooms by changing structure, colours, plantings, etc.
Inspiration can be found from garden shows such as Ellerslie
International Flower Show or a bit further a field the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show or even go for broke to the Chelsea Flower Show. If you would prefer to spend the time and money on your garden then you can visit our review of the Ellerslie Flower Show 2013
or browse the internet for a virtual tour of Chelsea.
Closer to home you can visit your local garden tours where you can see what grows well in your area or, better still, invite some gardening friends around and get their critical review. We have always recommended taking time out each season to walk about with pad and pen to record what needs to be 'removed', moved, limbed, topped etc.
As we grow in gardening expertise our tastes change and new plants are introduced that are must haves. There is always something new in gardening!
Happy gardening
Practical Gardening Tools
Good garden tools are essential. They can be expensive and should be comfortable to use and do the job. So investing in fewer tools is better than lots of tools which are hard to use. In my essential tools I have a two pronged hand fork for weeding, a hand trowel for planting and a strong pair of secateurs. A large garden fork and spade and pruning saw are also needed. The rest of my tools don't often get an outing but they clutter up the garden shed. If you cannot find what you want in your local shops then search the net - make a wish list for your next birthday! You can check out the retail at the Ellerslie Flower Show.
Ellerslie International Flower Show
Fewer gardens, both exhibition and retail, and a city on the verge of a drought took some off the edge of the 2013 Ellerslie Flower Show. We have some sympathy with the critiques that say no clear theme, not enough punch, too spread out but we saw lots of people sitting happily under the trees or on the seats provided, just enjoying themselves. We've read criticism of the ticket price - though there are not many places where you can get nine hours entertainment for $40. We'd have liked more garden retail outlets - last year's "more" has turned into this year's "less". And we didn't find a garden that knocked our socks off - but we did find plenty to interest and absorb.
See our review Ellerslie Flower Show
Good garden tools are essential. They can be expensive and should be comfortable to use and do the job. So investing in fewer tools is better than lots of tools which are hard to use. In my essential tools I have a two pronged hand fork for weeding, a hand trowel for planting and a strong pair of secateurs. A large garden fork and spade and pruning saw are also needed. The rest of my tools don't often get an outing but they clutter up the garden shed. If you cannot find what you want in your local shops then search the net - make a wish list for your next birthday! You can check out the retail at the Ellerslie Flower Show.
